Image credit: Eli Duke

The difference between residential and commercial plumbing is always a hot topic for debate—after all, pipes are pipes, right? Well, not exactly.

While it's true that commercial and residential work do share certain attributes, there are key elements that set these work environments apart for plumbers.

A plumber diagnoses the source of a leaky pipe (image courtesy of Ocean Yamaha)

Throughout your plumber career you'll encounter many homeowners who cross the line between simple plumbing repairs, and overly ambitious DIY disasters.

It's human nature to overestimate skill level, and want to tackle jobs ourselves. But when it comes to plumbing, repairs gone wrong can lead to dangerous and costly consequences.

Effective problem-solving in plumbing means having the right tools on hand, and knowing which ones are best suited to each challenge. A pipe may have just burst and the house or office is rapidly filling with water—but a good plumber doesn't panic. He or she knows exactly which tools to reach for first.